Minutes:
Councillor R P F Dewick referred to the late delivery of accounts and asked the Leader of the Council if he could confirm the steps being taken to ensure the 2019 / 20 accounts would be delivered on time. In response the Leader paid tribute to the former Director of Resources (Section 151 Officer) and the tremendous amount of work that she had done whilst at the Council. He reported that she had taken up a new role with Capita PRC and wished her every success in this role. In response to the question, the Leader advised that he had asked the Interim Section 151 Officer to assess the situation along with reviewing resources to ensure the right people were in place to deliver the accounts. He confirmed that work in respect of the 2019 / 20 accounts was being delivered on an ongoing basis and therefore these would be delivered on time. Members were advised at this point that the Council had successfully recruited into the post of Director of Resources and the new post holder would be starting early in the new year. At this point the Leader advised the Council that he had not entered into any third party agreements with any members of staff.
Councillor M F L Durham asked the Leader of the Council following a large amount of public interest in the future of Canada Wharf if he could confirm that Maldon Yacht Club (the Yacht Club) would be included in discussions regarding the future of the site. In response to the question, the Leader of the Council referred to the good work of the Yacht Club and as a responsible landlord how the Council would consider the community benefit alongside enterprise in respect of Canada Wharf. He advised that the Council had agreed to extend the Yacht Club’s lease which allowed time to work closely with them to explore shared opportunities on the site. The Leader of the Council referred to this matter having been discussed in private session and at this point referred to a comment he had made during previous discussions and apologised if this comment caused any offence. The Leader confirmed that the Council would be working with Maldon Yacht Club to establish if they wished they would be included in future plans.
Councillor RH Siddall raised a point of order but was advised by the Chairman that this was not valid.
Councillor M W Helm, as Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, asked the Leader of the Council if he agreed with him that should a Member wish to make a complaint or raise an issue regarding another Member they should contact the Monitoring Officer. The Leader of the Council agreed with Councillor Helm and referred to the Council conducting its business in a professional way and how if this was not possible, the use of emergency powers would be used, which could exclude Members from the decision-making process. He advised that if any Member had anything to say about other Members they should raise this with the Monitoring Officer.
Councillor W Stamp asked, in the interest of openness and transparency, if the Leader of the Council could assure her that any amendments no matter how minor to Terms of Reference for relevant Committees, Sub-Committees or Working Groups would be brought to the Council for approval / refusal and not carried out in the respective meetings. She also sought assurance that this had not occurred in this municipal year without Council approval. In response the Leader of the Council advised that it was his understanding that when a Working Group was formed the Terms of Reference could be reviewed by the Working Group, but would them come back to the appointing body for approval. He advised Members to raise any questions with the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance. The Chairman informed Members that as far as he was aware as Chairman of the Council there had not been any changes to the criteria of a Working Group agreed without them going back to its parent body.
Councillor C Morris asked a question to the Leader of the Council regarding a statement he had made earlier in the meeting. In response the Chairman advised that the Leader of the Council had answered the points raised. Councillor Morris disputed this, and a debate ensued with the Chairman during which the Monitoring Officer provided advice. This caused some disruption to the meeting and in light of this the Chairman proposed that in accordance with Procedure Rule 10 Councillor Morris no longer be heard. This motion was duly seconded. In accordance with Procedure Rule No. 13 (3) Councillor C Morris requested a recorded vote. The Chairman put the motion to the Council and the voting was as follows:
For the recommendation:
Councillors E L Bamford, Miss A M Beale, R G Boyce, Mrs P A Channer, R P F Dewick, M F L Durham, Mrs J L Fleming, A S Fluker, B E Harker, M W Helm, A L Hull, C P Morley, Mrs M E Thompson and Miss S White.
Against the recommendation:
Councillors M G Bassenger, B S Beale, V J Bell, M R Edwards, M S Heard, K M H Lagan, C Mayes, C Morris, S P Nunn, N G F Shaughnessy, R H Siddall, W Stamp and J Stilts.
Abstention:
Councillor C Swain.
The Chairman advised that the motion had therefore been carried and the Member would no longer be heard at the meeting and anything he said would not be minuted.
In response to a question the Chairman advised that there would not be any further questions to the Leader and the Council would move to the next item of business.